Al-Ahli beat Al-Nassr 5–3 on penalties after a 2–2 draw at Hong Kong Stadium on 23 August in the Saudi Super Cup final. The Jeddah side claimed their second Super Cup crown and their first since 2016.
Cristiano Ronaldo marked his 100th goal for Al-Nassr in the match, but the milestone came on the losing side. Many called the match one of the most exciting Saudi Super Cup games in recent memory, with end-to-end action and a tense shootout deciding the result.
The Al Nassr vs Al Ahli showdown closed a week that turned Saudi football’s season curtain-raiser into a major event in East Asia. By night’s end, Al-Ahli were celebrated as the Saudi Cup winner, and the game underlined how much attention Saudi fixtures now attract abroad.
Ronaldo scored in the 40th minute from the penalty spot late in the first half. Franck Kessié levelled on the stroke of halftime. Marcelo Brozović restored Al-Nassr’s lead in the 82nd minute with eight minutes left. Roger Ibañez made it 2–2 with a towering header from a Riyad Mahrez corner in the 89th minute.
Penalty Shootout Decides the Winner
The shootout proved decisive. Al-Ahli converted all five attempts. Al-Nassr missed one of their five spot-kicks, which gave Al-Ahli the advantage and secured the win. Local reports also highlighted the shootout outcome without confirmed details of individual saves or scorers.
Ronaldo’s night still carried a milestone. His first-half penalty took him to 100 goals for Al-Nassr, a landmark achieved in under three full seasons since joining in December 2022. Yet the veteran forward must wait again for a first trophy of the new campaign after last term’s near misses on multiple fronts.
Historic Venue and Tournament Expansion
This edition broke new ground for the competition. The Saudi Super Cup final was staged in Hong Kong after the Saudi Arabian Football Federation confirmed a four-team event from 19–23 August at the 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium. The decision followed a commercial agreement that extended the tournament’s international footprint.
Al-Ahli lifted the trophy for a second time, adding to their 2016 triumph. The win gave the rebuilt squad an early-season lift, rewarding a team put together around continental champions and high-profile signings. Kessié controlled the midfield, Mahrez supplied chances with his delivery, and Mendy was steady between the posts.
Road to the Final
The road to the Saudi Super Cup final was dramatic: Al-Nassr edged Al-Ittihad 2–1 in the semi despite Sadio Mané’s first-half red card, while Al-Ahli routed Al-Qadsiah 5–1 — Kessié bossed the midfield and Ivan Toney got on the scoresheet.
Fans packed the stadium, turning a run of Saudi Super Cup games into a festival; thousands from Riyadh and Jeddah gave the neutral venue a home-like buzz ahead of the Al Nassr vs Al Ahli clash and the fight for the Saudi Cup winner.
Key Moments on the Pitch
On the pitch, the final showcased the high-profile rivalry between Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli. Ronaldo and Brozović offered thrust for the Riyadh club. Kessié, Ibañez and Mahrez carried Jeddah’s threat in open play and on set pieces. The penalty shootout ultimately decided the game after both teams matched each other in regular play.
The officiating team kept a firm handle on tense moments while maintaining the game’s flow. Clear penalty calls and accurate offside decisions ensured the match ran smoothly without major controversy.
Strategic Move to Hong Kong
Beyond the pitch, the federation’s choice of Hong Kong underlined a strategic push to globalise the domestic showpiece. Officials highlighted growing international interest, noting strong ticket sales and broadcast viewership in Asia.
The narrative also carried a subplot. Reigning holders Al-Hilal withdrew ahead of the tournament, citing post–Club World Cup fatigue. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation later imposed a future Super Cup ban and a fine of 500,000 SAR. Al-Ahli took the open berth and made the most of it.
Tactical Approaches
Tactically, both teams leaned on clear identities. Al-Nassr prioritised service to Ronaldo, with Brozović breaking lines from midfield, while Al-Ahli applied pressing and capitalised on set-pieces to equalise late in regulation. Margins stayed thin until the final kick.
The event matched the growing trend of famous Saudi Super Cup games that attract big international audiences. Organisers said there was strong attendance and good commercial support, with Hong Kong’s hospitality and retail sectors also gaining during the tournament.
Looking Ahead: Teams and Fans
For Al-Nassr, the task now shifts to recovery and response. The league schedule leaves little time to dwell. The squad still has the firepower to mount a title challenge and chase honours that decide the label many fans obsess over—Saudi Cup winner—later in the season.
For Al-Ahli, the moment confirms competitive depth. The Saudi Super Cup final win follows their continental success and signals cohesion under pressure. The squad blended marquee signings with disciplined team play, a balance that should benefit them in upcoming away fixtures.
Rivalry and Season Prospects
The matchup again showed why neutrals circle Al Nassr vs Al Ahli on the calendar. The contest featured contrasting styles and world-class players, with Al-Ahli’s accuracy in the penalty shootout proving decisive under challenging conditions.
Fans and viewers will keep tracking Saudi Super Cup games as the domestic season accelerates. The August showcase gave a sharp read on fitness, rotations and set-piece plans. Coaches will bank those lessons before league and continental campaigns resume.
The question of who will be the Saudi Cup winner by spring is still open. But for now, the Saudi Super Cup final went to Al Ahli, who stayed calm in important moments and won the match with perfect penalties in front of a full stadium.
